2/7th London Regiment 5 Platoon B Coy

[babsastley]

My grandfather served in the London Regiment - James Lewis Luff, born 1894 in Mile End, London - he survived the War but sustained a gunshot wound to his wrist, his hand was saved but there was a disability which restricted his later employment.

I have a photograph of my grandfather in uniform on his own, with an unknown soldier friend from another regiment, from the look of the cap badge, also a photograph of no 5 platoon B Company 2/7th battn if anyone is interested and I would be glad to copy this.

Would be pleased to hear from anyone whose relative served with this Regiment and details of where they served. Thanks. Babs.

[Greg Bloomfield]

Babs, I have no connection with the 2/7th but here is a brief summary of their war.

The battalion was formed in Sept 1914 and went into 174 Brigade of 58 (London) Division. This division had been formed from Home Service men of Territorial Force units in the London area (presumably men that hadn't voluteered to serve overseas) in Nov 1914. The battalion's numbers would possibly have been swelled by later voluteers and conscripts. The Division went to France in Jan 1917 and served there and in Flanders until the Armistice. In Feb 1918 the 2/7th were absorbed by the 1/7th (it's parent unit) and effectively disbanded.

While they were still a formed unit, their division was engaged in several actions which included; German retreat to the Hindenburg Line 14th Mar-5th April, Battle of Bullecourt 3rd-17th May, Actions on the Hindenburg Line 20th May-16th June. They were then caught up in the engagements at 3rd Ypres; Battle of the Menin Road 20th-25th Sept, Polygon Wood 26th Sept-3rd Oct, 2nd Passchendaele 26th Oct-10th Nov.

After the units absorbtion, the 1/7th remained in the same Division and fought several more engagements all the way to the Armistice.

Greg

[babsastley]

Greg,

Thanks for the history, now I have some idea of where my grandfather served, I never met him he died before I was born. Thanks again. Babs.